What is the Best Cellular Network for the iPhone?

Recently, I went on a trip with some friends about two hours north of our city. While driving, we were discussing which network was the best for the iPhone. Of course, I argued for AT&T while others stuck to their Verizon and Sprint networks. My argument is always that AT&T has a really fast connection although I know sometimes there are coverage issues in rural areas. In my city, AT&T was a little slow to get 3G and now I’m waiting for LTE to come to the area. Still, the speeds I get on my iPhone are typically faster than others in my area who are on Verizon and Sprint. Today, as we drove out of the big city, I continued to have high speeds while others dropped quickly. I’ll admit, we were on a highly traveled interstate. The only time I had bad signal was once we got to our destination and was in the basement of the building. At that point, I had no signal. Others, on Verizon, had signal. Of course, there was Wi-Fi available so it didn’t really bother me. Almost everything I need to get on my phone can be done on Wi-Fi. This includes iMessage, email and all notifications. The only thing I would need is text messaging, phone calls and voice mail. Every once in a while, at the back of the building, I’d get a connection and would get my text messages. This location and only one other that I travel to maybe twice a year have this issue. Otherwise, I have this high-speed 3G connection. [Read more…]

14 Different iPad Cases for Only $3.75 Each From AT&T

This is a killer deal. The only reason I can think as to why they are doing this is that they don’t sell 1st Gen iPads anymore so they just need to get rid of these cases. There are 14 different choices including the OtterBox Defender case for only $3.75 each with Free Priority Shipping (2-day). To get the awesome deal you must click the link provide on this Deals Plus page to get the additional 25%. Each case is $5.00 but with the discount they are $3.75. You can either fill up your cart first, or click the discount first. Just don’t forget! [Read more…]

Today is the day… Verizon and AT&T Get iPads

A couple weeks ago, Apple announced that the iPad would be available in both Verizon and AT&T stores on October 28th. Today is the day! And, confirmed by a friend, the devices are indeed available today. Both AT&T and Verizon are offering the 16GB, 32GB and 64Gb iPad Wi-Fi with 3G (AT&T) or MiFi (Verizon). The plans are honestly pretty similarly priced with AT&T offering a $14.99 a month plan for up to 250MB of data and a $25 a month for up to 2GB of data. Verizon is offering a $20 a month plan for up to 1GB of data. Below are what, according to Apple, each company is offering.
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iPhone 4 – The Basics – When, What, How Much?

applecom Today, during the 2010 WWDC Keynote, Apple announced the new iPhone – the iPhone 4. Below are the basics… when it will be available, where it will be available, how much it will cost, the sizes, the colors… etc.
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AT&T, Unlimited Data & The Truth

Ok, this is getting ridiculous. AT&T has gone off the deep end here. They are removing the unlimited data from smartphones, including the iPhone, and the iPad. If you already have unlimited, you can keep it. But is that it? Is it all that simple? No. There are a lot of questions I had and here’s what I’ve found as answers.

New plan changes:

DataPlus – 200 MB of data for $15 per month. If you use more than 200 MB, you’ll receive an additional 200 MB of data usage for $15, replenished as often as necessary during the billing cycle.

DataPro – 2 GB of data for $25 per month. If you exceed 2 GB, you’ll get an additional 1 GB of data for only $10. Each time an additional 1 GB is used up during a cycle, you will automatically receive another 1 GB at the same low price.

This is just the beginning of it all. 200MB of additional data for $15 but the other plan is only $10 for another 1GB (1,000MB). This is just stupid. [Read more…]

Skype 2.0 Can Now Make Calls on 3G & EDGE

Available In: App Store       Price: Free  

SkypePreviously, Skype for the iPhone would only let you make calls from the iPhone if it was connected to Wifi. Now you can make them even when on the 3G cellular network. It doesn’t say anything about EDGE so I’m guessing it won’t work there. I even got it to work on EDGE. Check the video below. There are also some other improvements with the recent update including enhanced call quality indicator and improved start-up time. See below for a complete list.

Of course there is a catch to all of this. AT&T is only promising this to be a free service until the end of August 2010, then they may charge a small monthly fee. [Read more…]

Court Documents Prove 5 Year Contract Between Apple & AT&T

AT&TEngadget has finally found proof that the contract between Apple and AT&T for the iPhone was 5 years. That would mean no Verizon iPhone this year. But there are always renegotiations and all sorts of other ways Apple could have ended the agreement. Apple did develop the iPad to run on AT&T and not Verizon so this may also be a hint. I’m guessing that Apple will wait until LTE technology is released and all carriers use it so they can sell only one phone.

Here’s what I’d like to know. If you have an iPhone right now, would you switch to Verizon if they get the iPhone? If you’re reading this and don’t have an iPhone and are with Verizon already, would you buy an iPhone once it comes to Verizon? Answer below in the polls and let us know more by telling us why in the comments. [Read more…]

iPad 3G Released Today

AppleToday Apple releases the iPad 3G. The difference between the iPad and the iPad 3G are the 3G version has a cell phone chip in it and can connect to cell networks for internet. The iPad 3G also has GPS. In the US the carrier compatible with the iPad 3G is AT&T. Their pricing plans for data are $14.99 for 250MB usable for 30 days, or $29.99 for unlimited data usable for 30 days. These plans also include the free use of AT&T’s 20,000 Wifi hotspots. If you’re wondering which plan is better for you, check out this article by arstechnica which explains how one plan might work better for you.

– Apple is closing stores from 4-5pm to prepare for the launch.
– Phone calls and text messaging are not supported although VOIP apps like Skype are.
– Preorders over the web should be delivered to your home today.
– No contract: The data plans automatically renew every 30 days but can be canceled with no penalty
– For billing purposes, AT&T will assign you a “fake” mobile number.
– Data usage is tracked on device through Settings>Cellular Data
– When using the 250MB plan you will receive popup notifications when you hit 200MB, 225MB, and 250MB.
– Switching from plan to plan restarts your 30 day plan
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Operation Chokehold: Attempt to Bring Down AT&T Network

AT&TRecently, AT&T has hinted at charging high bandwidth users more for their data usage. Apparently, people are a little unhappy about it and are going to attempt to bring AT&T “to it’s knees”. How? A website called “The Secret Diary of Steve Jobs” has asked it’s readers to join them by using as much data over the cellular network as possible on Friday, December 18th at noon Pacific.

Subject: Operation Chokehold
On Friday, December 18, at noon Pacific time, we will attempt to overwhelm the AT&T data network and bring it to its knees. The goal is to have every iPhone user (or as many as we can) turn on a data intensive app and run that app for one solid hour. Send the message to AT&T that we are sick of their substandard network and sick of their abusive comments. The idea is we’ll create a digital flash mob. We’re calling it in Operation Chokehold. Join us and speak truth to power!

If you’d like to get involved, here’s some tips. Obviously, turn off your Wifi; the point here is to bog down the cellular network so you’ll want to avoid connecting to a local wireless network. Also, you’ll want to use a high bandwidth app like YouTube or other video website. Make sure you check out the comments on the blog linked to above, there are some great ideas on using up bandwidth like NASA’s live video stream or Ustream’s new uploader.

Do you plan on joining in Operation Chokehold? (Bring Down AT&T Network)

  • Yes (69%, 380 Votes)
  • No (31%, 170 Votes)

Total Voters: 550

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AT&T Commercials – AT&T: By Numbers, Headless and Marbles

##ICON_NAME## AT&T has recently released a few more commercials. Two of them are the typical Luke Wilson commercials comparing AT&T to Verizon and third (released today) gives statistics on AT&T’s overall network… it’s a little boring but, it does have some interesting numbers.

AT&T Commercials:

The AT&T/Verizon Vengeance Continues – New Commercials

##ICON_NAME## It seems as though AT&T and Verizon are not losing steam on this whole commercial vengeance thing. Both AT&T and Verizon have recently released a new commercial. Verizon is targeting Apple this time around instead of AT&T. It could be in retaliation to the commercials Apple released last week targeting Verizon. The difference is, Apple does it so smoothly and Verizon is tactless.

Either way, I think both Verizon and AT&T’s commercials are slipping in quality. You can check them both out below.
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Refurbished iPhone 3GS – $49 at AT&T

AT&TAT&T has refurbished 16GB iPhone 3GSs on sale today for only $49! It also includes free overnight shipping and free activation! Just visit ATT.com to buy online. Remember, requires purchase of a $30 a month data service, 2 year contract & new activation required. Available in black and white.

refurbiphone

Apple’s New Commericals Take Stab at Verzion Too!?

##ICON_NAME## AT&T is not the only company to release new commercials recently, Apple has also launched two new iPhone commercials. The new commercials “Did You See My Email?” and “What Time’s The Movie?” both seem take a subtle stab at Verizon. Unlike AT&T they do not specifically mention Verizon but, the two ads highlight the iPhone’s ability to talk on the phone while simultaneously using other capabilities of the iPhone including; viewing email, browsing the web, sending MMS and using App Store apps. Each commercial ends with the the tag line “Can your phone and your network do that?” Check out both ads below.

It seems the Apple has quietly entered into this little drama. I’d say it’s becoming quite the thing. Personally, I like the subtle approach… these commercials made me smile!
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AT&T Releases Two New Commercials Targeting Verizon

##ICON_NAME## You may have seen the first commercial AT&T launched as a direct attack on Verizon. Over the week-end they released a few more commercials targeting Verizon; Two Phones and Postcards (two part commercial). They both are part of the Truth About 3G campaign. Like the first commercial, these ones also star actor Luke Wilson.

Personal Opinion – Two Phones… not too bad, Postcards… lame. Check them out below.
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AT&T Releases New Commercial Targeting Verizon

##ICON_NAME## Despite losing the lawsuit against Verizon, AT&T has released a new ad titled Side by Side that specifically targets Verizon. The commercial stars actor Luke Wilson and compares four features of AT&T and Version; The nation’s fastest 3G network, The network that lets you talk and surf the Web at the same time, The most popular smartphones and Access to more than 100,000 apps?
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